Celtic’s dominant victory over St Johnstone on Saturday showcased a level of superiority not seen at Parkhead since their 7-1 thrashing of Dundee. Prior to that memorable result, their 6-0 triumph over Aberdeen at Paradise earlier in the season provided another statement of their attacking prowess.
In both those matches, Celtic created a plethora of scoring opportunities, and their encounter against Craig Levein’s side was no different. Enjoying over 73% possession, Rodgers’ team fired an impressive 23 shots on goal, with ten hitting the target, six blocked, and seven off-target, as reported by Sky Sports.
Despite this overwhelming display, Levein’s post-match comments about the lack of Celtic’s chances raised eyebrows, leading pundit Michael Stewart to describe his statements as strange. Stewart remarked on the coach’s positive view of the match, particularly in the first half, casting doubt on Levein’s assessment of the game.
Stewart suggested that Levein’s remarks were an attempt to shield his players from additional pressure, given their precarious position in the relegation battle. The St Johnstone manager, aware of Celtic’s dominance, seemingly downplayed the extent of their performance to safeguard the morale of his team.
In truth, Celtic’s complete control over St Johnstone was evident, with the Perth side fortunate not to concede more goals due to VAR interventions and shots hitting the woodwork. Despite Levein’s veiled comments, Rodgers and his Celtic side undoubtedly recognize the level of their display and will take pride in a victory that befits their status as Scottish champions.
